Heat dissipating device for an integrated circuit chip

ABSTRACT

An electronic assembly comprises a support board, an integrated circuit chip interconnected and coupled to the support board, and a thermal-gap-filler pad placed over the integrated circuit chip and in contact with an external device to dissipate heat generated by the integrated circuit chip. The electronic assembly further comprises a standoff structure disposed adjacent the thermal-gap-filler pad and coupled to the support board, the standoff structure configured to prevent excessive force from being applied onto the thermal-gap-filler.

FIELD

Aspects of the present invention pertain to heat dissipating methods anddevices.

BACKGROUND

Advances continue to be made in the manufacture of solid-stateelectronic devices, resulting in increasing functionality, density, andperformance of the integrated circuits (ICs). The amount of heatgenerated, and accordingly the amount of power needed to be dissipated,by modem integrated circuits generally increases with increases in thedensity and speed of the circuits. Removal of heat produced by theintegrated circuits therefore continues to be of significant concern ofmodem integrated circuit package and system designers, considering theloss of performance and the degradation in reliability of integratedcircuits when operated at elevated temperatures.

In addition, the trend toward more compact electronic systems is alsocontinuing, exacerbating the thermal problem produced by thehigh-complexity and high-performance integrated circuits. For example,laptop or notebook sized computers have recently become quite popular,with continuing market pressure toward even smaller computer systemssuch as personal digital assistants (PDA). However, these small computersystems eliminate many of the traditional techniques for heat removalavailable for large-scale computer systems, such as the use of fans forconvection cooling of the integrated circuits. As such, many modemcomputer systems utilize thermal conduction as the primary mode of heatremoval from the integrated circuits in the computer system.

Compact electronic products that utilize high-density ICs or similarelectronic components may utilize thermal gap filler (a material withhigh thermal conductivity in a conformable pad-like form) as a way tocool off the ICs and maintain proper ICs' operating junctiontemperature. The thermal gap filler is adhered to the ICs on one side ofthe thermal gap filler and contacted to an exterior case of the devicethat houses the ICs on the other side of the thermal gap filler. Thethermal gap filler allows self-generated heat (from the ICs) to bedispersed into the exterior case of the device that houses the ICswithout the cost, weight, or size considerations of heat sinks orheat-pipes.

There are disadvantages to the technique mentioned above. By physicallycoupling the exterior case of the device that house the ICs to thethermal gap filler to transfer heat from the IC through the filler andto the exterior case, a situation is now present whereby an externallyapplied force to the device's exterior case can damage the IC and/or thefiller. The externally applied force can be generated by routinehandling, touching, operating, or abusing of the device. This externallyapplied force will directly induce a mechanical force and/or physicalstress on the device thermal gap filler and the ICs. In certain cases,depending upon the physical characteristics of the product, this forcecould exceed the maximum physical stress capability of the ICs'mechanical interface with the device's system, either with the device'slogic board, or within the ICs themselves. Additionally, this forcecould exceed the stress that the thermal gap filler can handle oroptimally handle. Excessive force and stress can thus be caused to theICs and/or the thermal gap filler and as such would inevitably causecatastrophic product or device failure.

As processors and power devices get faster and hotter, and as packagedensities increase, the need for reliable, effective, and efficientthermal management devices become crucial. Thus, there is a need for aheat-dissipating device that can dissipate heat generated from an IC orICs without the risk of damaging either the ICs or the heat-dissipatingdevice itself.

SUMMARY

Thermal gap fillers are used to transmit heat generated from an IC orICs to their external housing. Thermal gap filler in a pad format isplaced in contact with the external housing and heat is dissipated tothe external housing. Mechanical forces applied to the housing maydistort and damage the thermal gap fillers as well as the ICs and theICs' associated interconnection. A support structure having a standofffeature is provided to limit the external mechanical force applied tothe thermal gap fillers as well as the ICs and the ICs' associatedinterconnection.

One aspect of the invention pertains to a heat-dissipating device for anintegrated circuit chip. The heat-dissipating device comprises athermal-gap-filler pad constructed to be coupled to an integratedcircuit on one surface of the thermal-gap-filler pad and contacted to anexternal device on another surface of the thermal-gap-filler pad. Thethermal-gap-filler pad dissipates heat generated from the integratedcircuit chip to the external device. The heat-dissipating device alsocomprises a support frame disposed adjacent (e.g., around or near orwithin) the thermal-gap-filler pad. The support frame has a standofffeature to prevent excessive force from being applied onto thethermal-gap-filler pad. The standoff feature limits the travel distanceof the external device thus limiting excessive force on thethermal-gap-filler pad.

One aspect of the invention pertains to an electronic assembly thatcomprises a support board, an integrated circuit chip interconnected andcoupled to the support board, and a thermal-gap-filler pad placed overthe integrated circuit chip and in contact with an external device todissipate heat generated by the integrated circuit chip. The electronicassembly further comprises a standoff structure disposed adjacent thethermal-gap-filler pad and coupled to the support board, the standoffstructure constructed to prevent excessive force from being applied ontothe thermal-gap-filler.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to a computer system thatincorporates a thermal-gap-filler pad and a support structure. Thecomputer system comprises a main logic board, a plurality ofinterconnection contacts placed on the main logic board, and anintegrated circuit chip interconnected to the main logic board andcoupled to the main logic board. A thermal-gap-filler pad is placed overthe integrated circuit chip and in contact with an enclosure case todissipate heat generated by the integrated circuit chip. A standoffstructure is disposed adjacent the thermal-gap-filler pad and coupled tothe main logic board. The standoff structure is constructed to preventexcessive force from being applied onto the thermal-gap-filler pad.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method for dissipatingheat from an integrated circuit chip. The method comprises placing athermal-gap-filler pad over an integrated circuit chip that is coupledto a support board, and placing a support structure around thethermal-gap-filler pad and the integrated circuit chip. The methodfurther comprises placing an external device over the thermal-gap-fillerpad. The support structure includes a standoff feature that preventsexcessive force applied onto the thermal-gap-filler pad while allowingsufficient contact between the thermal-gap-filler pad and the externaldevice.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a exemplary thermal-gap-filler (TGF) pad that can beused for several embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a TGFpad coupling to an IC chip and protected by a support structure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the support structure shown inFIG. 2 limiting excessive mechanical force onto the TGF pad and the ICchip;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of aTGF pad coupling to an IC chip and protected by a support structure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the support structure shown inFIG. 4 limiting excessive mechanical force onto the TGF pad and the ICchip;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of one exemplary embodiment of a TGF padcoupling to an IC chip and protected by a support structure having aplurality of posts to prevent excessive mechanical force on the TGF padand the IC chip;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of one exemplary embodiment of a TGF padcoupling to an IC chip and protected by a support structure having aframe with protruding posts to prevent excessive mechanical force on theTGF pad and the IC chip;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a TGFpad coupling to an IC and protected by a support structure having aframe with protruding posts to prevent excessive mechanical force on theTGF pad and the IC chip;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a TGFpad coupling to an IC chip and protected by a support structure having aframe with protruding posts to prevent excessive mechanical force on theTGF pad and the IC chip; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary method of dissipating heat for an ICchip in accordance to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to specificconfigurations and techniques. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate the various changes and modifications to be made whileremaining within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, wellknown elements, devices, components, circuits, process steps and thelike are not set forth in detail.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a heat dissipatingstructure for an IC chip(s) utilizing a thermal-gap-filler (TGF) pad anda supporting structure that is capable of preventing or limitingexcessive mechanical force applied to the TGF pad, the IC chips, and thechips' associated interconnections. In particular, the embodimentscombine a TGF pad with a support structure to dissipate heat produced orgenerated by an IC chip or multiple IC chips while limiting excessiveapplied mechanical force to the TGF pad and the chips and the chips'associated interconnections. These embodiments thus allow the integrityand functionality of the TGF pad to be optimized and preserved foreffectively dissipating heat from the IC chips without the potential ofdamaging the TGF pad, the IC chip, and the IC chips' associatedinterconnections.

One embodiment pertains to a heat-dissipating device that includes a TGFpad protected by a support structure. The TGF is configured to be placedon top of the IC chip to be cooled (e.g., via adhesive or conductiveadhesive). The support structure is typically placed around the TGF padalthough alternative placements such as within the TGF pad are alsopossible. It is preferable that that support structure rest on a logicboard and not the IC, and if the pad is larger than the IC, a supportstructure may be enclosed within an opening of the TGF pads, whichopening is not over the IC. The TGF pad is also constructed to be placedin contact with an external device (e.g., an external housing or acomputer cover case) to transfer heat from the IC chip to the externaldevice. In one embodiment, one surface of the TGF pad is placed over theIC chip and one surface of the TGF pad is placed in contact with theexternal device. The support structure includes a standoff feature thatprevents excessive mechanical force from being applied to the IC chipand the TGF pad. In one embodiment, the support structure has a heightthat is less than the total stack-up height of the IC chip plus the TGFpad to ensure proper engagement between the TGF pad and the externaldevice. The standoff feature protrudes from the surface of the supportstructure to prevent the external device from pressing down excessivelyon the TGF pad and exerts excessive mechanical force on the TGF pad andthe IC chip. In one embodiment, the support structure is configured toallow the TGF pad to be depressed or deflected by about less than 30%(optimally 20%) for an efficient heat transfer. An excessive mechanicalforce would be a force that will cause the TGF pad to deflect or depressmore than optimally needed for an efficient heat transfer (e.g., lessthan about 30% (optimally 20%)). In one embodiment, the mechanical forceis generated as the external device is pressed against the TGF padduring handling of the external device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary TGF pad 10 that can be used for variousembodiments of the present invention. Thermal gap fillers are used toconduct heat across an air gap, from a hot device (such as a processor,an IC, or an Application Specific IC, ASIC) to heat rail, spreader, orchassis, which may be used in enclosures with restricted convection andinsufficient room for conventional heat sinks. For instance, thermal gapfillers are used in dissipating heat generated from an IC chip such as agraphics controller IC in a notebook computer where space is extremelylimited. The thermal gap fillers typically include thermally conductiveceramic filler particles dispersed in a conformable and form-stablepolymer binder forming a TGF pad 10 as shown in FIG. 1. This figure alsoshows the TGF pad 10 adhered to an IC chip 106 using methods known inthe art. For example, the TGF pad 10 can be coupled to the IC chip 106using adhesive or heat conductive adhesive as is well known in the art.An example of a commercially available TGF pad 10 is Therma-A-Gap A574made by Chomerics, Marlow, and Buckinghamshire, UK. In one embodiment,the TGF pad 10 is constructed to have a size and/or shape similar to theIC chip (or other devices) that needs heat dissipation so that the TGFpad 10 can effectively cover substantially all area of the IC chip (seeFIG. 1). For instance, when the IC chip has a rectangular shape of acertain dimension, the TGF pad 10 also has a rectangular shape ofsimilar dimension. The TGF pad may extend beyond the edges of the ICsuch that the TGF pad has a larger area than the IC.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment where a heat-dissipatingdevice is incorporated into an electronic assembly 100. In oneembodiment, the electronic assembly 100 is a computer or a notebookcomputer that includes at least one IC chip that can be cooled using aTGF pad. The TGF pad cools the IC chip by transferring the heatgenerated by the IC chip to an external surface, e.g., an enclosure caseof the computer. The electronic assembly 100 includes a support board102 (e.g., a printed circuit board such as a motherboard or a graphicscontroller board) upon which is placed a plurality of interconnectionpads (e.g., solder balls) 104. An IC chip 106 is coupled to the supportboard 102 via the interconnection pads 104. In one embodiment, thesupport board 102 is a main logic board of a computer that the IC chip106 needs to communicate to. The support board 102 is configured to beable to withstand a much higher mechanical force than the IC chip 106.In one embodiment, the IC chip 106 is a graphics controller chipconfigured to control the graphics display of a computer's displayapparatus. A TGF pad 108 is fixedly adhered on top of the IC chip 106using methods known in the art (e.g., using conductive or non-conductiveadhesive). A support structure 112 is placed around the TGF pad 108 andthe IC chip 106 to limit the mechanical forced applied to the TGF pad108 and the IC chip 106. As shown in FIG. 2, the TGF pad 108 is placedin contact with an external device 110, which in one embodiment, is acomputer enclosure case. The external device 110 is made of a materialthat not only can protect the components within the case, but also canaccept the heat transferred from the IC chip 106 via the TGF pad 108 todissipate the heat. Such a material includes but is not limited toplastic and metal and any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the support structure 112 has a height H₁ that isless than the total stack-up height H₂ of the IC chip 106 (and itsassociated interconnection 104 pads) plus the TGF pad 108 to ensureproper engagement or contact between the TGF pad 108 and the externaldevice 110. The TGF pad 108 needs to contact the external device 110 todissipate the heat into the external device 110. Thus, the supportstructure 112 needs to be constructed to allow such a contact whilelimiting excessive mechanical force onto the TGF pad 108. The supportstructure 112 is coupled to the support board 102 so that excessivemechanical force from the external device 110 is deferred onto thesupport board 102 and not the TGF pad 108 or the IC chip 106. Thesupport structure 112 can be made out of a rigid and insulated materialsuch as plastic or ceramic to name a few possible materials.

In one embodiment, the support structure 112 includes a standoff featurethat protrudes from the surface of the support structure 112 to preventthe external device 110 from pressing down excessively on the TGF pad108 and exerts excessive mechanical force on the TGF pad 108 and the ICchip 106. As shown in FIG. 2, the standoff feature can be vertical postsplaced around the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106. In one embodiment,there are at least two vertical posts placed oppositely from each other.More than two vertical posts (e.g., three or four) can be used forbetter stability and ability to limit the mechanical force from theexternal device 110. Alternatively, the standoff feature can also be acontinuous ring that protrudes from the surface of the support structure112. Alternatively, the standoff feature can simply be the supportstructure 112 itself and forms a continuous ring or frame around the TGFpad 108 and the IC chip 106 in a way that when the external device 110presses down on the TGF pad 108, excessive mechanical force is limitedor controlled. The support structure 112 thus limits the travel distanceof the external device 110 while allowing sufficient contact between theexternal device 110 and the TGF pad 108.

It is to be noted that for efficient and optimal heat transferring, theTGF pad 108 needs to make contact to the external device 110 while beingdepressed or deflected by less than 30% (optimally about or less than20%). Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the external device 110 can press downto create the necessary contact to the TGF pad 108 and cause thedepression in the TGF pad 108. The TGF pad may be resilient such that itreturns to it normal height after being depressed or deflected by anexternal force which is removed.

FIG. 3 further illustrates how the support structure 112 can beconstructed to limit the mechanical force applied to the TGF pad 108 andthe IC chip 106. As the external device 110 deflects or moves down dueto a force (or local force) applied to the external device 110 (e.g.,caused by handling, holding, or mishandling), the support structure112's standoff feature (e.g., vertical posts) prevents the externaldevice 110 from applying an excessive mechanical force on the TGF pad108 and on the IC chip 106. In one embodiment, the support structure 112is configured to allow the TGF pad 108 to depress or deflect by about orless than 20% or less than 30% for an efficient heat transfer. Anexcessive mechanical force would be a force that will cause the TGF pad108 to deflect or depress more than optimally needed for an efficientheat transfer (e.g., more than 30%). It is to be noted that differenttypes of TGF pad 108 require different values of depression and canwithstand different amounts of mechanical force before the TGF pad 108is damaged or before the TGF pad 108 transfers the force onto the ICchip 106 below and causes damage to the IC chip 106 or the chip'sassociated interconnections. The support structure 112 is thusconstructed such that it will prevent an excessive force from beingapplied onto the particular TGF pad 108 in a way that will preserve thefunctionality and/or integrity of the TGF pad 108. The support structure112 is also constructed to prevent an excessive force to be applied tothe IC chip 106 and its associated interconnections such as theinterconnection pads 104.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a support structure112. The electronic assembly shown in this figure is similar to theelectronic assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 2-3 except for the variation inthe support structure 112. The support structure 112 shown here includesa frame 111 and a standoff feature 113. The frame 111 provides aprotective ring around the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106. The standofffeature 113 protrudes off the surface of the frame 111 and is able tolimit the travel distance of the external device 110. The standofffeature 113 can also be an offset feature on top of the frame 111.

In one embodiment, the support structure 112 including the standofffeature 113 and the frame 111 has a height H₁ that is less than thetotal stack-up height H₂ of the IC chip 106 (and its associatedinterconnection 104 pads) plus the TGF pad 108 to ensure properengagement or contact between the TGF pad 108 and the external device110. The TGF pad 108 needs to contact the external device 110 todissipate the heat into the external device 110. The support structure112 is coupled to the support board 102 so that excessive mechanicalforce from the external device 110 is deferred onto the support board102 and not pressing down excessively onto the TGF pad 108 or the ICchip 106 and the interconnection 104. The support structure 112 can bemade out of a rigid and insulated material such as plastic or ceramic.

FIG. 5 further illustrates how the support structure 112 shown in FIG. 4limits the mechanical force applied to the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip106. As discussed above, the external device 110 deflects or moves downdue to a force applied to the external device 110 (e.g., caused byhandling, holding, mishandling), the standoff feature 113 prevents theexternal device 110 from applying an excessive mechanical force on theTGF pad 108 which in turns applied force on the IC chip 106. In oneembodiment, the standoff feature 113 is configured to allow the TGF pad108 to be depressed or deflected by about or less than 20% or less than30% for an efficient heat transfer. The standoff feature 113 preventsexcessive force on the TGF pad 108 and transfers such excessive forceonto the support board 102. An excessive mechanical force would be aforce that will cause the TGF pad 108 to deflect or depress more thanoptimally needed for an efficient heat transfer (e.g., more than 30%).

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of one exemplary embodiment of the TGF pad108 coupling to the IC chip 106 and protected by the support structure112. This embodiment shows the support structure 112 with a plurality ofposts to prevent excessive mechanical force on the TGF pad 108 and theIC chip 106. The TGF pad 108 is shown to be adhered over one surface ofthe IC chip 106 and the IC chip 106 is coupled on the other surface tothe support board 102. As shown in this figure, the posts are placedaround the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106. The posts are also coupledto the support board 102 (which could be the main logic board of acomputer). When the external device 110 is pressed down, its traveldistance is controlled or limited by the posts and thus, excessivemechanical force is transferred onto the support board 102 protectingthe TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106 while allowing efficient heatdissipation. In an alternative embodiment of the assembly of FIG. 4, theTGF pad 108 extends well beyond the edge of IC 106 and the supportstructure 112 (e.g., posts) are surrounded by the TGF pad 108 in theregions of the TGF pad 108 which are beyond the edge of IC 106. Thesupport structure 112 (e.g., posts) extend from the support board 102and through a through hole in the TGF pad 108; the through hole allowsthe post to contact the external device 110 when the TGF pad isdeflected down.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the TGFpad 108 coupling to the IC chip 106 and protected by a support structurethat includes a frame 111 and a plurality of posts 113. The posts-113protrude from the surface of the frame 111 (although not obvious fromthis view). The posts 113 prevent excessive mechanical force on the TGFpad 108 and the IC chip 106. As shown in this figure, the posts 113 areplaced around the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106. The posts 113 arealso coupled to the support board 102 (which could be the main logicboard of a computer). The frame 111 is placed around the TGF pad 108 andthe IC chip 106 and also provide added protection. When the externaldevice 110 is pressed down, its travel distance is controlled or limitedby the posts 113 and thus, excessive mechanical force is transferredonto the support board 102 protecting the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip106 while allowing efficient heat dissipation.

The configuration of the support structure can be varied depending onspace and other design considerations. In one embodiment, the supportstructure has a similar shape and size as the TGF pad 108 and/or the ICchip 106. For instance, when the IC chip 106 and the TGF pad 108 have asquare or rectangular shape, the support structure can have such similarshape (square or rectangular) and/or size (dimension). In otherembodiment, the support structure has other construction that may bedictated by the space limitation and design consideration of the devicethat the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106 are placed in. For instance, asshown in FIG. 8, the support structure (support structure 115) can havea construction of a triangle and includes a plurality of posts 117placed around the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 9, the support structure (support structure 119) can havea circular construction and includes a plurality of posts 121 placedaround the TGF pad 108 and the IC chip 106.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method 300 fordissipating heat generated from an integrated circuit chip such as agraphic controller chip of a notebook computer. At box 302, the IC chipis placed on a support board. In one embodiment, the support board is acomputer's main logic board or motherboard. Necessary interconnectionsare established using conventional methods. In one embodiment, solderballs are used to create the interconnections between the support boardand the IC chip. In one embodiment, the IC chip has a ball-grid-arraypackaging (e.g., a graphical controller chip). At box 304, a TGF pad isplaced on top of the IC chip (e.g., using a conductive adhesive). At box306, a support structure is placed around the TGF pad and the IC chip.At box 308, an external device is placed over the TGF pad. In oneembodiment, the external device is an enclosure case for a notebookcomputer. The external device is placed over the TGF pad such thatcontact can be created between the TGF pad and the external device toallow heat to be dissipated therethrough. In one embodiment, the TGF padis in an immediate contact with the external device. The supportstructure includes a standoff feature that can limit or preventexcessive mechanical force onto the TGF pad, the IC chip, and theassociated interconnections. The support structure does not precludecontact between the TGF pad and the external device and thus, stillallows for heat to transfer and dissipate through the external device.

The embodiments described herein are particularly useful for dissipatingheat generated from a graphic controller chip of a notebook computer.Typically, a graphic controller chip is packaged using a ball-grid-arraypackaging to accommodate for the increase in density of integratedcircuitry. The ball-grid-array is an arrangement that enablesinterconnection of high-density chips such as the graphic controllerchip to a computer's main logic board. In one embodiment, theball-grid-array utilizes many interconnection pads (e.g., solder balls)to create the interconnection from the main logic board to the graphiccontroller chip. In a conventional method, a thermal gap filler pad isadhered to the graphic controller chip and acts as the interface betweenthe chip and the external enclosure case. Heat is then dissipated fromthe graphic controller chip to the external enclosure case via thethermal-gap-filler pad. However, it is known that there are a lot ofmechanical forces applied to the notebook computer at any time. Forinstance, for is applied when the notebook computer is being handled ortransferred. The force applied is usually excessive (more than necessaryto create the contact between the thermal gap filler pad and theexternal device for the heat to transfer). Such force will cause cracksor damages to the interconnections between the graphic controller chipand the main logic board and disrupt the function of devices controlledby the graphic controller chip, e.g., the notebook display monitor.Thus, the embodiments of the present invention describe ways to preventexcessive force to the TFG pad, the graphic controller chip, and/or theassociated interconnections by coupling a support structure to the TGFpad. The inclusion of the support structure in the heat-dissipatingdevice that utilizes the TGF pad ensures that the mechanical forceapplied by the enclosure case's will not exceed the force that the TGFpad, the IC chip, and/or the interconnections can handle.

In one embodiment, a heat-dissipating device that includes the TGF padand the support structure previously described is incorporated into anotebook computer. The notebook computer comprises a main logic boardthat has a plurality of interconnection contacts (e.g., solder ball orpin connections) placed thereon. An integrated circuit chip (e.g., agraphic controller chip) is coupled to the main logic board. The IC chipmakes electrical and mechanical interconnection to the main logic boardthrough the interconnection contacts. In one embodiment, the IC chip hasa ball-grid-array packaging format that makes interconnection to themain logic board via a plurality of solder balls, lead wires, or othersuitable electrical interconnections for high density circuit. A TGF padis fixed to the IC chip. A support structure having a standoff featureis placed around the TGF pad and the IC chip. The support structure iscoupled to the main logic board. It is to be noted that the notebookcomputer may comprise other internal electrical devices or components asis well known in the art. After all the internal components of thenotebook computer are assembled, an enclosure case is placed over all ofthe internal components including the TGF pad. The TGF pad is thussituated so that it can be in contact with the enclosure case to allowheat generated from the IC chip to dissipate therethrough. The supportstructure is constructed so that the standoff feature limits or preventsthe enclosure case from pressing down too far so as to exert excessiveforce on the TGF pad, the IC chip, and the associated interconnectioncontacts. The standoff feature allows the excessive force applied by theenclosure case (due to handling of the notebook computer) to be divertedor deferred to the main logic board which can take much more stress thanthe TGF pad, the IC chip, and the associated interconnection contacts.

The notebook computer also includes a display apparatus, e.g., a flatpanel display, coupled to the enclosure case. In one embodiment, thedisplay apparatus is controlled at least in part by a graphic controllerchip. The graphic controller chip can be the IC chip that is coupled tothe TGF pad and protected by the support structure.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided merely toillustrate the principles of the invention and should not be construedas limiting the scope of the subject matter of the terms of the claimedinvention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Moreover,the principles of the invention may be applied to achieve the advantagesdescribed herein and to achieve other advantages or to satisfy otherobjectives, as well.

1. An electronic assembly comprising: a support board; an integratedcircuit chip interconnected and coupled to the support board; athermal-gap-filler pad placed over the integrated circuit chip and incontact with an external device to dissipate heat generated by theintegrated circuit chip; and a standoff structure disposed adjacent thethermal-gap-filler pad and coupled to the support board, the standoffstructure configured to prevent excessive force from being applied ontothe thermal-gap-filler pad.
 2. The electronic assembly of claim 1wherein the standoff structure includes a frame placed around theintegrated circuit chip and the thermal-gap-filler pad and at least twovertical posts protruding from the frame to prevent excessive force ontothe thermal-gap-filler pad.
 3. The electronic assembly of claim 1wherein the standoff structure includes a plurality of posts placedaround the integrated circuit and the thermal-gap-filler pad to preventexcessive force onto the thermal-gap-filler pad.
 4. The electronicassembly of claim 1 wherein the standoff structure includes a frame ofsimilar shape and size to at least one of the integrated circuit and thethermal-gap-filler pad.
 5. The electronic assembly of claim 1 whereinthe standoff structure is made out of a rigid and insulated material. 6.The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the thermal-gap-filler pad isconductive and depressible.
 7. The electronic assembly of claim 1wherein the standoff structure is constructed to maintain optimal andfunctional integrity of the thermal-gap-filler pad.
 8. The electronicassembly of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit chip is packaged in aball-grid-array packaging format.
 9. The electronic assembly of claim 1wherein the integrated circuit chip is a graphic controller chip. 10.The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the support board is a mainlogic board of a computer system.
 11. The electronic assembly of claim 1wherein the support board is a main logic board and the integratedcircuit chip is a graphic controller chip of a notebook computer. 12.The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the support board is a mainlogic board, the integrated circuit chip is a graphic controller chip,and the external device is an enclosure case of a notebook computer. 13.The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the external device is anenclosure case of a computer system.
 14. A computer system comprising: amain logic board; a plurality of interconnection contacts placed on themain logic board; an integrated circuit chip interconnected to the mainlogic board and coupled to the main logic board; a thermal-gap-fillerpad placed over the integrated circuit chip and in contact with anenclosure case to dissipate heat generated by the integrated circuitchip; and a standoff structure disposed adjacent the thermal-gap-fillerpad and coupled to the main logic board, the standoff structureconfigured to prevent excessive force from being applied onto thethermal-gap-filler pad.
 15. The computer system of claim 14 wherein theintegrated circuit chip is a graphic controller chip.
 16. The computersystem of claim 15 further comprises a display apparatus coupled to theenclosure case and controlled at least in part by the graphic controllerchip.
 17. The computer system of claim 15 wherein the computer system isa notebook computer.
 18. The electronic assembly of claim 14 wherein thestandoff structure includes a frame placed around the integrated circuitchip and the thermal-gap-filler pad and at least two vertical postsprotruding from the frame to prevent excessive force onto thethermal-gap-filler pad.
 19. The electronic assembly of claim 14 whereinthe standoff structure includes a plurality of posts placed around theintegrated circuit and the thermal-gap-filler pad to prevent excessiveforce onto the thermal-gap-filler pad.
 20. The electronic assembly ofclaim 14 wherein the standoff structure includes a frame of similarshape and size to at least one of the integrated circuit and thethermal-gap-filler pad.
 21. The electronic assembly of claim 14 whereinthe standoff structure is made out of a rigid and insulated material.22. The electronic assembly of claim 14 wherein the thermal-gap-fillerpad is conductive and depressible.
 23. The electronic assembly of claim14 wherein the standoff structure is constructed to maintain optimal andfunctional integrity of the thermal-gap-filler pad.
 24. The electronicassembly of claim 14 wherein the standoff structure is constructed toprevent the enclosure case from applying excessive force onto thethermal-gap-filler pad.
 25. The electronic assembly of claim excessiveforce is a force that causes a depression greater than 30% to thethermal-gap-filler pad.
 26. A heat-dissipating device for an integratedcircuit chip comprising: a thermal-gap-filler pad constructed to becoupled to an integrated circuit on one surface of thethermal-gap-filler pad and contacted to an external device on anothersurface of the thermal-gap-filler pad, the thermal-gap-filler paddissipates heat generated from the integrated circuit chip to theexternal device; and a support frame disposed adjacent thethermal-gap-filler pad having a standoff feature to prevent excessiveforce from being applied onto the thermal-gap-filler pad.
 27. Theheat-dissipating device of claim 26 wherein the standoff featureincludes a plurality of vertical posts protruding from the supportframe, the vertical posts limit the travel distance of the externaldevice downward on top of the thermal-gap-filler pad.
 28. Theheat-dissipating device of claim 26 wherein the standoff structure ismade out of a rigid and insulated material.
 29. The heat-dissipatingdevice of claim 26 wherein the thermal-gap-filler pad is conductive anddepressible.
 30. A method to dissipate heat from an integrated circuitchip comprising: placing a thermal-gap-filler pad over an integratedcircuit chip that is coupled to a support board; placing a supportstructure adjacent the thermal-gap-filler pad and the integrated circuitchip; and placing an external device over the thermal-gap-filler pad,wherein the support structure includes a standoff feature that preventsexcessive force from being applied onto the thermal-gap-filler pad whileallowing sufficient contact between the thermal-gap-filler pad and theexternal device.
 31. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein thethermal-gap-filler pad is placed over the integrated circuit chip usingconductive adhesive.
 32. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein thesupport structure prevents excessive force to the integrated circuitchip.
 33. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the integratedcircuit chip is interconnected to the support board by conductiveinterconnections and wherein the support structure prevents excessiveforce to the conductive interconnections.
 34. The electronic assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the support board is an integrated circuit board andinterconnected to the integrated circuit chip by conductiveinterconnections and wherein the support structure prevents excessiveforce to the conductive interconnections.
 35. The electronic assembly ofclaim 1 further comprises limiting excessive force onto thethermal-gap-filler pad.